Solar Panels and Immersion Heaters

Can solar panels heat my water?

A solar diverter (£300-£600 fitted) sends surplus solar electricity to your immersion heater instead of exporting it at 4.5p/kWh. Result: free hot water from April to October, reduced gas bills year-round. You save £100-£200/year on gas/oil. The diverter monitors your solar output in real-time and diverts any surplus to heating water — only when you would otherwise export. No wasted solar. No extra electricity cost. Popular models: Eddi (myenergi) £400-£500, iBoost+ £300-£400. Payback: 2-4 years. Works with any solar system and any standard immersion heater.